Indicator for electric ranges



Sept; 28, 1948 R. G. sl-lEnnLx-:Rv y 2,450,399

INDICATOR FOR ELECTRIC RANGES Filed Jan. 9, 1948 Patented Sept. 28, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- INDICATOR FOR ELECTRIC RAN GES Robert G. Sheidler, Mansfield, Ohio, assigner to The Tappan Stove Company, Mansiield, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January 9, 1948, Serial No. 1,350

4 Claims. l

This invention relates generally to electric cooking ranges or stoves and is a continuation in part of my co-pending application Serial No. 690,393, which was filed on August 14, 1946, now abandoned.

More specifically7 the invention relates to electric ranges employing a plurality of heating elements each of which has a plurality of heating coils which may be energized to varying degrees independently of or simultaneously with each other. When one of these heating elements is covered by a cooking utensil it is impossible to tell at a glance which coil or coils are energized and to what degree they are energized. Also, the construction of some heating elements is such that it is impossible to tell the condition of the heating coils therein by merely looking at the element.

The principal object of this invention i to provide in an electric range indicating means, remote from the heating elements, by which one can tell at a glance the condition of the various heating elements.

Another object of the invention is to provide in an electric range means remote from a heating element flor indicating which coil or coils thereof are energized.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in an electric range means remote from a heating element for indicating 'which coil or coils thereof are energized and to which degree they are energized.

Further and more limited objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specication and the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the upper portion of an electric range having my invention incorporated therein;

Fig. 2 is a sectional diagrammatic view showing the construction of my indicator and the manner in which it is connected to the coils of a heating element; and

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. l

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, the numeral l indicates an electric range having a fiat top 2 and an upwardly extending panel or splasher plate 3 at the rear thereof. A plurality of heating elements 4 are suitably mounted in the range with their upper or heating surface substantially flush with the top 2 as is standard practice.

These heating elements 4 may be of any standard construction having a plurality of heating coils suitably mounted therein. As shown in the drawings each heating element 4 has two annular heating coils 5 and 6 which are concentrically disposed with respect to each other. The energization of these coils is controlled by a suitable switch 1 having an operating handle 8, there being a separate and independent switch 'I for each heating element 4.

The switches 'l are so constructed that the coils 5 and 6 may be energized independently of each other or simultaneously with each other. Also the heating coils 5 and 6 may be energized to varying degrees so as to provide either high or low heat in each coil. These switches 1 are of standard construction and are therefore not shown in detail herein, since any one of a number of which are available can be used equally well.

In order that one may see at a glance the exact condition of any one of the heating velements 4, I have provided a plurality of indicators B, one for each heating element 4. These indicators 9 are located at a point remote from the heating elements Where they will always be clearly visible. l prefer to mount them in the rear panel or splasher plate 3 as shown, although they could be mounted equally well on any other part of the range which is always clearly visible. These indicators 9 are constructed to simulate a heating element, and as will be hereinafter explained, each of these indicators is so connected to its respective heating element that it will always indicate which heating coil or coils are energized and to what degree they are energized,

A visible indicator, remote from a heating element, such as is disclosed herein, has many advantages, one of the most important of which is the conservation of electric energy. Some heating elements are constructed in such a manner that it is impossible to tell by looking at them .whether they are fully or partially energized, and in some cases it is impossible to tell whether or not an element is energized at all. And with all heating elements it is impossible to tell the condition thereof When they are completely covered by a cooking utensil, unless some indicating means is provided or unless the utensil is removed from the burner. In cooking with small vessels on a heating element having inner and outer heating coils, it is important to know that heat is coming from the inner coil and that no heat is coming from the outer coil. This tends to conserve electric energy and to protect the handles of vessels by keeping them from overheating and burning. In cooking with larger vessels which completely cover the heating element, it is important to know that the inner coil is energized as well as the outer coil. Also it is important to know whether the heat is high or low.

Each indicator 9 comprises a cylindrical casing I having a rear wall II integral therewith. The forward end of the casing I0 is closed by a translucent cover I2, of glass -or other suitable material, which is removably secured in place by a suitable retaining ring I3. Secured to the rear Wall I I within the casing I0 is a second cylindrical casing I4 of lesser diameter than the casing IU. The casing I4 extends forwardly from the rear wall EI and has its forward open end disposed in close proximity to the closure or cover I2. The cylindrical casings I0 and I4 denne inner and outer annular chambers I5 and I6 within the indicator 9. An incandescent lamp I1 is removably secured in an electric socket I8 which is fastened to the wall II within the inner chamber I5; and incandescent lamps I9 and 20 are removably secured in electric sockets 2I and 22 which are fastened to the rear wall I I within the outer annular chamber I6.

The inner heating coil 5 of each element is energized through wires 23 and 24 leading from the respective control switch 1; and the outer heating coi-l is energized through wires 24 and 25. As previously stated, which coil is energized and the degree of energization is dependent upon the setting of the control switch l.

Wires 26 and 2'! connect the wires 23 and 24 respectively with the electric socket I8 and lamp Il; and wires 21 and 28 connect the sockets 2l and 22 and lamps I9 and 2B with the wires 24 and respectively. The lamps 2I and 22 are connected in series, as shown, by a wire 29. From this it will be apparent that when the inner coil 5 is energized the lamp I'I in the inner annular chamber of the indicator 9 will also be energized; and when the outer coil 6 is energized the lamps I 9 and 2G in the outer annular chamber of the indicator 9 will also be energized. When the heating coils 5 and 6 are fully energized, the lamps IT, IS and 2B will glow brightly, and when the heating coils 5 and B are only partially energized, the lamps II, I9 and 2D will have a dull glow. If the inner coil 5 is fully energized and the outer coil 6 is only partially energized, the lamp I1 will glow brightly and the lamps I9 and 20 will glow dimly. Likewise, the outer coil 6 may be fully energized and the inner coil 5 only partially energized. In this case the lamps I9 and '2E will glow brightly and the lamp Il' dimly.

From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that I have provided a Very simple and ecient mechanism for carrying out the objects of my invention.

It is to be understood that I am not limited to the specific construction and arrangement shown herein as various modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In a device of the character described, the combination of a heating element having inner and outer annular heating coils, means for selectively energizing said coils, an indicator mounted independently of said heating element for visibly indicating the condition of said coils, said indicator being designed to simulate the heating element and comprising inner and outer annular compartments, a signal lamp in each of said compartments, the signal lamp in said inner compartment being electrically connected to said inner heating coil and the signal lamp in said outer compartment being electrically connected to said outer heating coil.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a heating element having inner and outer annular heating coils, means for selectively fully or partially energizing said coils, an indicator mounted independently of said heating element for visibly indicating the condition of said coils, said indicator being designed to simulate the heating element and comprising inner and outer annular compartments, a signal lamp in each of said compartments, the signal lamp in said inner compartment being electrically connected to said inner heating coil in such a manner as to burn brightly when said inner coil is fully energized and dimly when said inner coil is only partially energized, and the signal lamp in said outer compartment being electrically connected to said outer heating coil in such a manner as to burn brightly when said outer heating coil is fully energized and dimly when when said outer heating coil is only partially energized.

3. In an electric range having a, plurality of heating elements each of which comprises a plurality oi concentric heating coils and means for selectively energizing said coils, the combination with each of said heating elements of an indicator mounted independently of said heating element for visibly indicating the condition of the heating coils therein, each of said indicators being designed to simulate a heating element and comprising a plurality of concentric compartments corresponding to the plurality of heating coils in the heating element associated therewith, a signal lamp in each of said compartments, and an electrical conductor between each of said lamps and a corresponding heating coil.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a heating element having a plurality of concentrically arranged heating coils therein, means for selectively energizing said coils, an indicator mounted independently of said heating element for visibly indicating the condition of said coils, said indicator being designed to simulate the heating element and comprising a plurality of concentrically arranged compartments corresponding to the plurality of concentrically arranged heating coils, a signal lamp in each of said compartments and an electrical conductor between each of said lamps and a corresponding heating coil.

ROBERT G. SHEIDLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date A Number Name 1,534,430 Wells Apr. 21, 1925 1,564,614 Ogram Dec. 8, 1925 1,699,737 Hicks Jan. 22, 1929 

